In a thrilling debut, ADCC winner Kade Ruotolo made a successful transition to mixed martial arts, submitting Blake Cooper via RNC in his maiden MMA bout. Ruotolo’s impressive performance came on the same night that ONE Championship featherweight muay thai champion Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai defended his title against Nattawut Somkhun in the main event of ONE 167.
Ruotolo, known for his grappling prowess, wasted no time in showcasing his skills, taking Cooper down with a beautiful throw. As the fight progressed, Ruotolo expertly worked his way into a dominant position, ultimately sneaking in a rear-naked choke attempt that left Cooper with no choice but to tap out.
“It seems that Kade can choke from underneath the left arm, as he’s trying to get it underneath the rear naked choke attempt,” exclaimed the commentary team, highlighting Ruotolo’s exceptional grappling skills.
Ruotolo’s victory marks a promising start to his MMA career, and his grappling background is likely to serve him well in the sport. As an ADCC winner, he has already demonstrated his ability to succeed in a high-pressure environment, and his MMA debut suggests that he has the skills to excel in the sport.
Meanwhile, the main event of ONE 167 saw Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai successfully defend his featherweight muay thai title against Nattawut Somkhun. Saenchai dominated the early rounds, punishing Somkhun with punishing leg kicks and sharp elbows. Although Somkhun staged a comeback in the third and fourth rounds, Saenchai rallied in the final three minutes to secure the victory.
The event, which took place on [date], saw a packed arena cheering on the athletes as they battled it out in the ONE Championship arena. The organization, known for its high-energy events, once again delivered an exciting night of action, with Ruotolo’s impressive debut and Saenchai’s title defense stealing the show.
Kade Ruotolo (1-0) debuta en MMA de forma exitosa ganando a Blake Cooper por sumisión vía mataleón en el primer asalto, Kade lució bien y no tuvo miedo a intercambiar golpes antes de derribar y conseguir la sumisión, cuidado con él #ONE167 pic.twitter.com/vURCFRUifI
— Pelunaton (@pelunaton) June 8, 2024
With this victory, Ruotolo joins an elite group of grapplers who have successfully transitioned to MMA, and fans will be eagerly awaiting his next move in the sport. As for Saenchai, his title defense solidifies his position as one of the top muay thai stars in the world.
In a night filled with thrilling action, Ruotolo’s impressive debut and Saenchai’s title defense will be remembered as two of the standout performances of ONE 167.
